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Lafayette has landed a new helicopter assembly operation, filling a gap left last year when Bell Helicopter abandoned Acadiana without fulfilling its jobs promise.

Gov. John Bel Edwards and Kopter Group AG Chief Executive Andreas Lowenstein announced the project Tuesday in Atlanta during the 2019 HAI Heli-Expo.

The Switzerland-based company will hire 120 workers to assemble its new SH09 helicopter at Lafayette Regional Airport with an average annual salary of $55,000 plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will create an additional 157 indirect jobs.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson, Kopter CEO Andreas Löwenstein and Gov. John Bel Edwards announced an expansion in Lafayette during a helicopter trade show in Atlanta Tuesday.(Photo: Courtesy photo)

“We’re delighted that Kopter chose Louisiana and Lafayette for the assembly of a dynamic new aerospace product,” Edwards said. “The SH09 helicopter will be highly competitive in the marketplace and provide outstanding performance, great passenger and cargo capacity, and superior engineering and design.

"Kopter could have chosen any location in the Western Hemisphere to assemble this new helicopter. Louisiana’s outstanding workforce and facility assets and our competitive business climate, make Lafayette the clear choice for Kopter’s future in the Americas.”

The company will begin hiring later this year with the first completed helicopters to be deliver in 2021.

Kopter will operate in the $25 million facility funded by the state previously occupied by Bell. It will lease the facility from the Lafayette Airport Commission. The state is seeking to recoup millions of dollars in previous incentives paid to Bell.

Lowenstein said the location "provides an ideal operational environment with quick and easy logistics and commercial access."

He also noted its access to a qualified workforce and said the facility "meets the highest standards and allows almost instant operations."

The company plans to make a $4.2 million capital investment in new equipment and building additions at the Lafayette site.

Kopter is assembling helicopters for the European market in Switzerland with plans to add another assembly facility in Asia.

The SH09 was created for medical evacuation, surveillance and law enforcement, passenger transport and sightseeing, aerial work and utility missions.

“Lafayette just gained a major international opportunity housed at our airport, and this means good things for our economic future,” said Lafayette Airport Commission Chairman Paul Segura, who praised Edwards' effort.

The state's incentive package includes a $1.2 million grand for facility modifications and a $1.3 million grant for lease support.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1